What is a fairway driver?

I would think that it is most typically a shorter, straighter driver. I know that that is what I think of when I think of a Cheetah or a Gazelle - both fairway drivers. I swear by the Gazelle and probably threw that for 100 of my 170 strokes last weekend.... or so it seems.

ďI believe I can hit 18 greens, hit every fairway, you know ó Vision 54, which means you birdie every hole, thatís in the back of my mind. I want to putt better, chip better. That day when I hit 18 greens and one putt, Iíll know Iím a complete golfer. Will that ever happen? Iím not sure, but itís possible. The 54 vision is always in the back of my mind.Ē~Annika SŲrenstam

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Simply put, fairway drivers are faster than mid-range discs but slower than "distance" drivers. But there's no sharp line between mid-ranges and fairway drivers, nor between fairway drivers and distance drivers; it's all a continuum.

The advantage of using fairway drivers is that, in theory, they're more "controllable" than faster drivers. They can't go as far, but typically they have a slightly straighter flight path.

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Eagles and Teebirds are the best "fairway drivers" in my opinion... A class of disc often overlooked by Ams, but great for more controlled lines (read as straight) and with more consistency in general and esspeacialy in the wind.

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Simply put, fairway drivers are faster than mid-range discs but slower than "distance" drivers. But there's no sharp line between mid-ranges and fairway drivers, nor between fairway drivers and distance drivers; it's all a continuum.

The advantage of using fairway drivers is that, in theory, they're more "controllable" than faster drivers. They can't go as far, but typically they have a slightly straighter flight path.

Simplifying even further, a fairway driver's increased potential for accuracy vs a distance driver is a direct result of a slower cruise speed. Taking this example to it's extreme, this is why your putter is more accurate than any of your other discs.

To elaborate on what Adam said, disc speed is directly proportionate to the distance between the rim of the disc (where you put your fingers) and the edge of the wing. Fairway drivers are generally classified as discs with a wing wider than a midrange and narrower than a distance driver. They also tend to have a beveled edge, which is another thing that sets a driver apart from a midrange.

As for what they are used for, DexterHawk probably said it best.

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I was heading out to play Trojan one day so I brought some discs that I wouldn't mind so much if they got wet. I brought along the Tracker to throw on 6. (This was before the tee pads were installed. I was notorious for slipping on my throw and feeding the fish.) But this time I threw easier and parked the Tracker at the pin.
Since that day I have kept the disc in my bag and it was that disc from about 275' that crashed chains on hole 5 at Trojan for the deuce. And the throw was a straight line to the pin the whole way. I just can't see an Eagle or T-Bird as a Fairway Driver as they are too stable for my poor snap. But I guess if you can power out the monster drives they'd work nicely.

The Fairway Driver is a valuable disc to have.

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Remain ye men of faculty complete,
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Attending to our noble bond and contract?
Or does here stand the last remaining man
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I used to use a Tee Bird or a Leopard for fairway approaches, especially if I had a backstop behind the pin and could go right at it. Now I've changed to a light Flx Surge. With my general snaplessness, it's doing the job well for me.

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...but it plays one on TV.

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One of my personal favorites right now is an Avenger SS. I can use it off the tee, or as a fairway driver. It can be flipped, if needed, but otherwise holds a line very well, with a slight fade at the end.